Chapter Two

[Family Dinner.]

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. Opening the bathroom door, Jerry shuffles out of the wash closet and makes his way downstairs softly. A smile on his lips, he walks into the kitchen as Betty prepares her father a stack of waffles, stealing glances from Jerry whilst he takes out a bottle of water and his pills. About a week had passed from his day out with Kurtis, and he still feels pretty good about it all. After their stroll in the park, they had expressed their appreciation for one another and had agreed to start sharing brunches with one another each Sunday.

Humming to himself, Jerry fixes himself a bowl of cereal, knowing Beth would only be making the meal for her father. "Good morning!" Jerry greets and sits on his usual spot, wearing a green sweater, his usual light jeans and shoes, and a beige suit jacket. Rick, a napkin tucked into his blue shirt and a knife and fork in his hands, glances at Morty with an annoyed expression, his grandson giving him a bit of a stern face. Groaning softly, Richard faces his son-in-law.

"Hey." He responds, his voice gruff with a monotone. Ever since Beth and Jerry had gotten back together the previous year, he had been attempting to show more respect towards the man every now and then. Continuing to hate this man, he at least wants to show gratitude for bringing him grandkids, he hadn't wanted them, as in he wasn't asking for another generation in the family tree, but having Morty in his life, he slowly softened his shell.

Jerry smiles in response and starts eating his cereal, I wonder what Kurtis is doing, he said he gets up around four... Strange, but then again, I get out of bed by ten... Jerry hums softly, shaking his head to himself once noticing Beth by the doorway. "Happy anniversary, dad," She says, she walks in with a stack of waffles and sets the plate in front of her father, gesturing to the maple syrup, blueberries and strawberries in front of him. "Add whatever you'd like, I'll go get your coffee and the whipped cream!"

"Oh, Beth, this looks amazing," Rick smiles and moves his hand to pat her shoulder. "Thank you, sweetie." She hums in response, a smile plastered on her face, and she leaves to the kitchen again. Summer slowly walks into the dining room, earphones in and eyes glued to her screen - wearing her pajamas, a white shirt and pink shorts - when sitting opposite her brother.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" Rick asks, drenching the stack with maple syrup, whilst giving Jerry a side glance, unsure why he wears this new outfit. Beth walks back in with a blue mug, 'Rick's' written on the side, and a can of whipped cream, placing them beside Rick.

"Well, I was thinking, after we could finish breakfast, you and Morty could hang out for a bit as we prepare something for you here at home. And after, we could go to a restaurant if you please." She sits on the opposite end of the table, Jerry raising his head to look at her.

"No secrets, huh?" Rick laughs softly, cutting into the waffles neatly. "Sounds good to me. As long as it's not a huge party you're planning."

"Aw, man," Beth says teasingly, giggling to herself. "Fine, you and Morty go out on an adventure and when you come back, we're going out!"

"Wait, wait," Jerry nervousness laughs, the four turning to him, Summer looking up for a single second, before turning back to her music. "What time is all this? I have a thing with a friend today." Summer pulls out her left earpiece, Rick stops chewing, Morty and Beth stare in disbelief at the man. Jerry glances between the family, eyebrows raised. "What? I didn't know today would be more than just waffles for breakfast!"

"No, since when did you have friends?"

"Dad!" Beth shoots him a look, Rick scoffing, chewing a piece of the stack.

"What? I'm curious." He rolls his eyes and turns back to Jerry, who frowns and lowers his gaze to his bowl of Lucky Charms.

"I have friends!" Jerry's shoulders tense, rising as he moves his gaze to the side. "I said I was busy, I told you about it, Beth," He glances at Beth, watching as her face turns with confusion. He sighs heavily, She wasn't listening, was she?.. He moves his hand to his arm, his face softening. "I can't cancel on him, we're meeting up in an hour."

"Well, you have to, we're going to the store, for the-" Beth pauses, glancing at her father.

"The what?"

"The cake." Summer says, hearing snippets of the conversation.

"Summer!" Morty and Beth scold in unison, Rick's eyes darting between the three whilst lifting his mug to his lips.

"What?"

"Look, guys, it's just another day, no need to give me cake or buy me a crown and sing me some song you wrote or whatever. The waffles are fine," Rick furrows his unibrow, pointing his fork at Jerry. "And you? Why hadn't you made plans with your friend before?" He questions, the others turning to Jerry out of curiosity.

"Because..." Jerry says slowly, avoiding their gazes, "We haven't spoken for years, the last time was... Well, just before Beth fell pregnant." He explains, thinking back to their moment, the moment he let him go.

"So, you're just going to leave?" Kurtis asked, his voice soft, as he sat himself on the bathroom counter, buzzcut and brown overalls on, a shirt, that was once white, underneath and black socks on, boots off. "No goodbye?" Jerry rolled his eyes with a small smile, grooming his hair - wearing a black tuxedo.

"It's just prom, Kurt." He stated, placing his comb down and looking into the mirror, Kurtis hopping off and walking behind him.

"Yeah, but it's impolite to cancel plans on your bro for some popular girl." Kurtis teased, helping tie his sage-green bowtie. "What's so special about her? She sounds average; blue eyed blondie with a short skirt."

"Hey, I'll make it up to you, okay?" The teenager turned around, gently holding Kurt's wrists as he lowered them - the two the same height at that point. Humming, Kurtis looked away, Jerry planting a kiss to his cheek. "I promise."

"Cool." Kurt cracked a smile, moving to the counter and digging in his bag. "I got you something, Smith." He said before pulling out daisy corsages and handing them to him.

"W-wow, thanks, Fisherman," Jerry smiled, accepting them graciously. He turned the bracelet around as Kurt slipped a daisy into his front pocket, a sigh slipping out from his lips.

"I wanted to give you real flowers, but Aunt Quinn feared they'd wilt." He explained, hands clasped in front of him as he looked into Jerry's doe-brown eyes.

"Good call." He laughed softly. Kurtis nodded, looking down as a comfortable silence fell upon the two, or at least Jerry thought it was. "I should get going though, but remember to give me more details on the talent show when you can."

"You don't have to come, you'd probably want to hang out with your friends more than be there." Kurt shook his head, a forced smile on his lips.

"I'll be there." Jerry said with a pat on Kurt's shoulder, the two leaving the double story house with a soft discussion, Jerry hugging Kurtis before they parted their ways - Jerry continued to watch his friend, wanting to call him back, say something more, but he didn't. He could have gestured for him to come back when Kurtis turned around briefly and waved at him, but he stayed silent, waving in response, before climbing into the limbo he rented for the night.

"Wait, is this that Kevin guy?" Beth frowns, watching Jerry's features.

"Yes, and  his name is Kurtis." Jerry corrects her, sighing softly. "I can't cancel on him again, I-"

"Again?" Rick echoes as he raises his brow, Beth scoffing softly.

"Yes, again. Look," Jerry runs a hand through his curly hair, his voice soft as his heart pounds in his chest, fearful of what they'd say. "Rick doesn't like me whatsoever, I'm sure he'd rather have a day without me. My friend and I have been planning this for a whole week, it's not my fault you all didn't believe me!"

Beth bows her head and pinches the bridge of her nose, lowering her hand when she glares daggers at her husband. "Jerry, whether you like it or not, you can't just blow off your family to suck this guy's dick!" She rises from her seat, Jerry's throat tightens and he shrinks in his seat, "And I can not believe you'd get dressed for this stranger, but you wear the exact same, boring clothing for me! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel-?!" Voice cracking, Beth storms out of the room, "I just want to make today perfect, why won't anyone help me?!"

With a sigh, Jerry stands straight and pulls out his phone, "I'll go tell Kurtis I can't make it..." He leaves to the living room, moving to comfort Beth in their bedroom shortly after sending the message.

As the sun begins to set and the streetlights shine onto the empty roads, the Smith family park their vehicle just outside Fine Dining - a newly opened restaurant founded in France, Paris. They make their way through the glass doors, Beth instantly heading to the front desk. Jerry stands with his hands in his pockets and his figure slouched, refusing to throw on a smile. Whilst Summer and Morty make conversion with their grandfather, a worker leads the group to a free table, "How did you snag a reservation from this place? I thought this place was booked for the next year." Rick asks as they all take a seat.

"Actually, I made the reservation when the place was being built, for Beth and I-"

"But," Beth starts, cutting Jerry off instantly. "I thought it would be better to have dinner all together." Jerry sighs, lowering his gaze as a wave of defeat flows throughout his body; had he really allowed his wife to change his decisions? Make the romantic night he had planned into a family evening? He remains silent, looking around the packed house. Soft jazz plays in the background, hidden behind the hushed chitter-chatter - the lights a soft shade of crimson, table cloths white and seats comforting. Waiters walk around with trays in their hands, walking with purpose, a worker walks to their table as they all set down the menu's.

"Hello, my name is Lucy, I'll be your waiter for today," The woman smiles warmly, raising her notepad and pen. "Would you like to order drinks whilst you think of your meals?" She tilts her head slightly, her strawberry blonde ponytail bouncing along.

"Sure, I'll have a Chai-tea please." Beth responds, glancing at the others.

"Red Bull." Summer says, straightening her short, black skirt. Morty hums softly, smiling as he looks at the woman jotting down the orders.

"Orange fizzy juice, please." Morty responds, turning to Rick.

"Beer over here,"

"I'll have a pink lemonade please," Jerry flips through the menu, he lowers the booklet when feeling the silence over the table. "What?" He asks, anxious under their four pairs of eyes, "I like lemonade..." He says slowly before hiding his face behind the menu.

As time goes by, the family orders their meals and enjoys their beverages, a large jug of pink lemonade having been brought to the table for Jerry. Half of the jug empty, the man stands, saying he would be off to the bathroom - Beth stating she would be gone doing her own business as well. Rick and his two grandchildren left alone, Summer moves to the side to take a picture of herself, the sight of a long haired brunet walking in the front of the restaurant catching her off guard. She sits forward, eyes glued on him, He looks kinda familiar... She thinks to herself, Rick scanning the view of her direction as he cuts into his medium-rare stake.

"What's up, Sum-sum?" Richard asks, observing the interaction between the man in a dark grey sweater, soft pink shirt underneath and worn out jeans on, as well as muddy, black sneakers. This man speaks to a shorter individual with am apple figure and suit awfully too small for him, though he doesn't seem to notice, nor care.

"That guy, I've seen him before." Summer hums and tilts her head to the side, Morty following their gazes whilst slurping up his spaghetti.

"Oh, isn't he that guy in the main entrance?" Morty asks, thinking of the school, between the case of medals and trophies, hangs a picture of a man, with short deep brown hair, beige overalls and a white t-shirt underneath - a student who achieved high grades, yet never ended his life of mischief in the school. Gasping, Summer turns to Morty, nodding.

"Oh my God, it is him!" She looks back at him, "What is he doing here?"

"Who?" Rick frowns. Morty faces Rick with a gentle look on his face, some sauce on his cheeks and corners of his mouth.

"He's this guy who went to our school, he pulled a few pranks and stuff, but still got real high grades." He shrugs.

"And he was the first guy at the school to wear a dress." Summer adds, looking at him with slight admiration. "It's kinda cool, he always performed in talent shows, which gained money for the school for renovations."

"He always got the tickets to sell out within two days." Morty smiles. Rick rolls his eyes at this.

"Really? Admiring a guy for doing regular school things?" Rick sips from his beer, "C'mon, why's it so cool?"

"I don't know, he just left some impression." Summer continues to munch on her side salad, Beth and Jerry returning.

"Hey, guys, what're we talking about?" Beth asks, sitting down as she sets her hand bag on the side of her seat.

"That guy up front," Her daughter points at the two men, the two laughing over a joke one had told, "He's in a picture in the front of the school." Jerry moves to his seat, gaze moving to the two. A gasp escapes him, a shine in his eyes.

"Hey, that's Kurtis!" Jerry grins, the family in disbelief.

"His name is James." Summer corrects, Beth giving him a side glance.

"Really? No way." She rolls her eyes as she slouches.

"Yes way," Jerry moves to look at her, a little grown on his face, "you saw him before."

"Whatever, don't make a-"

"Kurtis! H-hey, Kurtis!" Jerry calls out, waving a hand frantically as Summer face-palms, Rick pinching the bridge of his nose.

"-scene." Beth continues under her breath. The man turns around quickly, hands moving to his pockets as he scans the room, eyes falling on Jerry. A grin spreads across his cheeks, waving back before bidding the owner a goodbye, he does a little jog towards the table.

"Dude, hey! What a small world we live in." He greets, pulling his friend into a warm bear hug. The family stare at the two, Jerry accepts the hug instantly. "So, this is where you were," Kurtis teases whilst pulling away, hand resting on Jerry's shoulder.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry, family things." He laughs nervously. Kurt waves a hand in dismissal, a gentle, patient smile on his lips.

"Don't worry about it, man," Kurt shrugs, "Water under the bridge." Jerry smiles softly, a warm, fuzzy feeling in his chest. The man turns to the rest of the table, grinning. "So, you guys must be Jer's family, hello, Jerry's told me a ton about you all." He waves at them, hands finding their way back into his pockets. "I'm..." He pauses, eyes falling on him, Rick Sanchez. He tenses his muscles instinctively, his smile dropping slightly as the image of him towering over him - raising a fist as rain hits against their skin - appears in his mind. He looks away from him and clears his throat, "My name's Kurtis, you can call me Kurt if you please."

"Hmm... So, this isn't that guy?" Rick asks and points at him, looking at Morty, he easily brushes this off - he already knows he had done something to him in the past, or at least he assumed that with the way he acted to the mere sight of him.

"I guess." He mumbles, looking away briefly.

"Well, depends on who that guy is." Kurt lets out an awkward laugh.

"This guy from our school, Harry Herpson High." Summer explains.

"No, way, I must be that guy," Kurtis pulls a smile, shoving his fear, slight trauma, deep down, "Short hair, no glasses? That's me, I'm James." He nods to himself.

"Wait, cool!" Summer smiles, disappointment wiped off her face. "You're, like, a legend at our school." Kurtis shrugs.

"I try."

"Wait, but what's... er... What's your name?" Morty rubs the back of his neck.

"His name is James Kurtis," Jerry speaks up, his hand on his arm.

"Yeah, formally, my name's James or Jim, but with my friends," He playfully jabs his elbow into Jerry's side as he looks at him, "my name is Kurtis."

"Wait, wait, heh-" Rick raises his unibrow, his face showing a slight sarcasm, though he means not for it, meaning to look somewhat genuine. "You're Jerry's friend?"

"Yeah, totally," Kurtis nods, wrapping an arm around Jerry's waist and pulling him into a side hug. "We've known each other for years now, since we were kids." He gives the man a genuine smile, loosening his grip on his friend, the family growing more confused by the second.

"You willingly are his friend?"

"Dad!" Beth hisses, turning to Kurtis and Jerry. "It's nice meeting you."

"We've met before, Beth," Kurt laughs awkwardly, moving his hand away from Jerry and to the back of his neck. "You know, by the hospital..." He clears his throat, "Well, um, this was nice, I should get going-"

"Wait!" Jerry grabs onto his hand when he turns to leave, a few people around the restaurant lifting their heads at the scene, as Beth and her father cringe at this interaction. Kurtis silently looks at Jerry, raising an eyebrow. "Uh- w-why don't you stay? Have dinner with us?"

"I mean, sure, but I already ate, so..." Kurt glances to the side.

"I'll buy you dessert then." Jerry says as he sits down, Kurtis taking an empty seat from one of the tables and settling himself between Jerry and Rick. Kurtis almost shrinks in his seat, as if clenching his muscles more would cause him to disintegrate into thin air, as he glances at Rick when he finishes his meal.

"Well... Okay, yeah, dessert sounds nice." Rick grabs the menu they'd kept behind and hands it to Kurt, the rest of them already having an idea of what they would like.

"So, Kurtis," Beth clears her throat, "what are you doing here? It doesn't seem like you have a table."

"Oh, no," Kurt lowers the menu, leaning back in his seat. "I actually just made a delivery. I'm friends with the owner and chef, you see, I sell them my crops and home-brewed beer, wines, and so forth. I have my own farm."

"Wait, this is home brew?" Rick asks as he lowers his tall, almost empty glass. Kurt nods.

"Yes, I started brewing beer as a hobby and, eventually, one jar turned into a room full of barrels. So, I thought I'd rather sell them than leave them in my seller. Though, I do that with my wine, I have a few bottles that'd been sitting there since I was a baby."

"How nice, you drink often or did you just hear about it and think, 'oh, hey, I can do that'?" Rick questions, finishing his beer. Kurtis scratches at his small beard, his presence alone brings a sense of welcoming to the table, despite his slight discomfort being near the scientist. It was a different guy, he's not the same Rick. He assures himself, pulling himself together.

"I don't drink often, at first I was doing it for my aunt. When she moved out, I continued brewing, and even though I made a small bit at a time, it just started taking up space, you know?" Kurtis shrugs, "I only had a bottle a week, regularly. I just thought it was ridiculous leaving it."

"Well, it's real nice, if you ever have too much, or maybe you're really feelin' it one day and make over enough," Rick gestures to himself with a smirk, "I'd gladly buy the leftovers." Kurt chuckles, nodding.

"Of course, sir, in fact, I'll make an extra batch just for ya, Mr. Sanchez." He responds, Rick raising half his eyebrow.

"What's with the formality? Just call me 'Rick', dawg." He rolls his eyes, neatly placing his knife and fork together on his plate. Nodding, Kurtis looks around the table, the conversation of Summer and Morty asking Jerry about him far away. His eyes fall onto the half full jug of pink lemonade.

[05 May 2022.]